Each year the unemployment figures rise and
each year more and more people leave school hoping for a job or to continue
their studies.
The impact of Covid-19 on jobs in the
hospitality and tourism sectors, not to mention the shrinking economy as a
whole as a result of it, means there are even fewer jobs available than before.
With competition so fierce, the most skilled
are the most likely to find employment and, to this end, the Two-a-Day
Education Trust, together with subsidiary companies of Two-a-Day, has made R1.5
million in bursaries available in 2021. But, more than that, they are helping
to reduce the often punitive transport and accommodation costs associated with
tertiary education by offering distance learning and on-site lectures at the
Grabouw Skills Centre.
Dr Anthony Hess is a central figure in the
lives of many hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the Grabouw region. As a
medical doctor he continues his legacy of care to people associated with
Two-a-Day, one of the largest employers in the Overberg region, but also
dedicates his time to act as chairman of the Two-a-Day Education Trust.
“Since 2016 approximately 300 students have
benefited financially from the Two-a-Day Education Trust. These students are
from Two-a-Day families and member farms. It is not only children of workers
but also workers themselves who have taken up the opportunity to further
qualify themselves and some have managed to take up admin positions at
Two-a-Day and at various farms because of this,” Hess says.
Hess explains that the various courses which
the students have studied are within the main faculties in universities as well
as FET colleges. “We have BCom Admin, BCom Accounts and Marketing, BA
Humanities, BSC, Engineering and also have students in their fourth year at the
University of the Free State studying Medicine. People are also doing courses
in Agriculture, IT and a number in Education studying Early Childhood
Development, Foundation Development and so on. There are students at UNISA
learning about Hospitality, Music, HR and Public Management. There are
Paralegals at CPUT to mention a few,” he says.
“I think the contribution of the Trust cannot
be over emphasised. Many of these students would not have reached their dreams
without assistance. Since 2016 the number of applications has risen and thus
far R1.5 million has been allocated for study purposes. The Trust and the
Trustees encourage people to make sure that they are clear about what they want
to study, choose their studies correctly and make sure those who want to follow
a degree meet the grades to do so. The competition is extremely fierce.
Students need to know what the minimum percentages required are in order to be
accepted,” Hess says.
Fergusson Oppelt is another important community
member as the Manager of Child Welfare in Grabouw and he is also a Trustee.
“This investment will provide 100 young aspiring individuals to become more
marketable to businesses in the Grabouw region and perhaps outside of Grabouw
too. It’s the first step to a successful career and will hopefully set the
foundation for greater things to come for them,” Oppelt says.
Dimitri Jacobs is Director Human Resources at
Two-a-Day and one of the main driving forces behind the Two-a-Day Education
Trust and the Grabouw Skills Centre. He is also a Director of Tru-Cape Fruit
Marketing, the largest exporter of South African apples and pears and equally
owned by the growers of Two-a-Day as by the growers of Ceres Fruit
Growers.
“It was a shock to us to have more than 140
people apply for funding, far greater than in the past,” Dimitri Jacobs says
adding: “They can study anything they want. We advertised to all our factory
workers too as we are offering Business and Management qualifications for any
employees’ children who are not going to study this year and who are
unemployed. I was looking for 15 additional people and 140 people came which
was a shock as it represents people who have a matriculation certificate but
who are unemployed or not currently studying further,” he says.
Jacobs explains that what makes the Saturday
leadership course being offered through Grabouw Skills Centre unique is that it
has seven modules, Business Management, Workforces, Leadership Development,
Project Management amongst them and they are using industry experts as
educators.”
Dr Hess says: “The management course is being
presented from March to November and the plan is to offer vocational training
as part of this so not only are we up-skilling people but we are also
connecting people with potential employers in a meaningful way.”
Tru-Cape’s Managing Director, Roelf Pienaar,
himself a part-time lecturer in Finance, says the role of tertiary education in
equipping one for a career that can generate a lifelong income cannot be
underestimated. “Finding a job even with a suitable education is harder than
ever before but, more than that, an education and a business-focussed education
in particular, can equipment one with the entrepreneurial skills to create jobs
and really make a difference towards a sustainable future.”